If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 9
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“I’m curious about why you proposed even resorting to such sweet talk?”
Cain chuckled. It was a different kind of laughter compared to his previous insincere smile. It was surprising to realize that this man, aside from sneering or looking serious, could display different expressions.
“I can provide what you need, Lady Kristin, through marriage.”
“What I… need?” Agatha, taken aback by the unexpected statement, looked around as if checking for the presence of Count Calvino.
“What do you mean?”
Furthermore, that self-assured expression of his? Agatha couldn’t fathom what he was thinking.
Stella had volunteered to become Lady Kristin’s guardian, but she had ulterior motives. While she indeed helped her unfortunate niece, who had no place to go, her true intention was to embezzle the Kristin estate’s wealth.
Stella had managed the Kristin estate’s finances, pretending to do so until Lady Kristin reached adulthood. In reality, she had been embezzling the estate’s wealth for a long time. She wielded the entrusted seal of the Kristin estate to dispose of properties and pocketed the rent collected from serfs.
During this time, the Kristin estate was gradually crumbling into a mere facade of a prestigious family. However, with a little more patience, withstanding until her coming of age, she could have reclaimed their family name from Stella. The only reason Agatha had endured those dreadful years was because of that one goal. However, that goal had been shattered just a few months ago.
On her 18th birthday, Agatha celebrated her coming of age, and Stella left her with these words:
<“Even if you’ve come of age, you still know nothing. Can you really be the mistress of the Kristin estate? You can’t just bring anyone and place them in the lord’s seat. Your aunt will find you a suitable husband. Until then, stay quiet and behave yourself like a mouse, my dear.”>
Noble young women typically received formal recognition as adults during their debutante ball, which was held in conjunction with their coming of age. The primary purpose of the debutante ball was to officially announce one’s lineage in high society, thereby gaining recognition in the marriage market.
In the aristocratic world, where the ability and status of a prospective spouse were closely linked to one’s own worth, establishing one’s position in society was crucial for young noble women.
Knowing all this, Stella allowed Agatha to celebrate her coming of age but refused to hold a debutante ball. Agatha needed to establish herself in the Leden social scene as Lady Kristin to secure her position as the heir. Stella essentially squandered an opportunity for Agatha to gain recognition as the next in line.
However, Stella’s plan went beyond just hindering Agatha’s future prospects:
<“Wouldn’t it be better to entrust the family to the man who knows you best? Luckily, our John seems to think quite highly of you, so I’ll arrange a wedding for you two.”>
Stella had a reason for tearing up all the social party invitations that came her way. The primary purpose of attending these parties was to search for potential marriage partners and establish romantic connections.
Considering Agatha’s exceptional beauty, if she were to formally debut in high society and catch the eye of a nobleman, Stella likely believed that her ambitious plans to absorb the Kristin estate could be thwarted.
So, Stella had to hinder and obstruct any opportunity for Agatha to enter high society. She needed to ensure that Agatha’s chances would not interfere with her plans to marry her son and, ultimately, take over the Kristin estate.
Agatha could feel the seething resentment within Stella’s dark intentions, and she didn’t want to participate in the cousin marriage that many nobles typically favored for the sake of family alliances and preservation.
Marriage between cousins was often chosen by many nobles for the consolidation and preservation of their families, but Agatha didn’t want that.
<“Given the kindness of raising you when you had nowhere else to go, it’s time to repay it, isn’t it?”>
Stella’s greedy face, which had been pushing for a marriage between her son, John, and Agatha, came to Agatha’s mind. Agatha had no intention of allowing herself to be married to John or willingly handing over the Kristin estate.
<“John’s wedding will be grand and luxurious, my dear. If we’re going to contribute to the country’s treasury in the end, it’s wise to protect it like this. You’ll be grateful to me and shed tears later.”>
Stella had whispered, as if she were doing Agatha a great favor while securing her own interests. Just thinking about Stella’s voice and her manipulative words made Agatha feel nauseous.
So, either get married or abandon the family. Agatha had only two choices.
“…I’d rather die than do that.”
“What did you say?”
Agatha, who had unintentionally muttered to herself, was startled back to reality when Cain questioned her.
